Gone are the days when basements used to be dark, dank places that housed scary stories to keep the kids out. As property prices have increased, the need to use every inch of space in a building means that the basement has recently been a focus of renovation and creativity.
First and foremost, that basement needs to be properly treated for damp proofing and protected from possible flooding.
Because basements tend to be underground – or at least partially underground, they tend to be by their very nature dark and damp areas. This does not have to be the case. Investment in proper basement tanking will ensure that the area will be protected and suitable for long term use.
The next stage is to use your imagination and creativity to design and develop a space that suits the needs of you and your family.
Cinema Room And Teenage Hangout
For many households, this additional space is brilliant as additional family living space to ease any congestion in the usual rooms. Because basements tend to be quite sound proofed by the very fact that they are below ground, they make great rooms for teenage hangouts, or as a ‘cinema’ room (or somewhere to put a large TV).
You can close the door on it and let the kids play their music, while you remain upstairs in the relative peace and quiet. Hen on those rare occasions when you are all at home together, you can make a big bowl of popcorn, pop on a good film, and enjoy a family trip to the ‘cinema!
Maximize your entertainment area by installing bar counters, pool table, and anything which would make your family join together for some time. Bonding time may not be an issue, but finding a location can be a hassle.
Now, how about you make use of that basement and convert it into a free-time hangout place?
Utility, Laundry And Storage Room
Family life can take up a lot of space. If you have a busy, growing family, then the sheer amount of ‘stuff’ that accumulates can be overwhelming. To have a space just to keep on top of this ‘stuff’ is a luxury many would pay big bucks for! The idea is to have an allocated area for whatever it is that you need but you don’t use on a daily basis.
Mowers or snow blowers can’t be left out in the open when you don’t need them. So, when you have that space at home, convert it into a holding area or storage space for things that are seasonal. This is way better than disposing those stuff and purchasing them again when the need arises.
Imagine the stress you would save yourself just by keeping all aspects of your laundry out of sight – it would certainly seem to your family that their clothes do magically appear clean and ironed from the fairies under the stairs.
The reality is actually that your laundry is being completed in a dedicated space that isn’t imposing itself on the rest of family life. A family home always has a need for an extra space or location. You might have huge things to keep.
For instance, your winter stuff must be kept in a storage room during summer, and vice versa. If you have a basement, this can serve as your extra space to keep out of season stuff. It can also hold your huge home furnishings such as your Christmas trees and home decors which might appear outdated when displayed outside of the season.
Wine Cellar
For the wine buffs out there, to have a separate space for a dedicated wine cellar is a real dream come true. This is particularly applicable if the space available is too small for a viable living space.
Wine itself can be a long-term investment, so you want to make sure it is properly kitted out with wooden wine racks, proper temperature control, lighting and accessibility.
Even during the olden times, basements are normally turned into automatic wine keepers as it has the most temperate weather necessary for keeping wines at a certain degree essential for it to ferment and taste well afterwards.
Casks and kegs brought inside are best preserved in areas like this as it maintains the air-free spaces. Depending on the desired temperature, basements can have heaters or coolers installed.
Keeping old-aged wines around here is a good idea. If it comes too many, say you are into wine business, your basement can work as a great cell as you wait for your produce to mature until it is ready for disposal.
Spare Bedroom
If the basement is partially underground with some natural light, it may be suitable as an extra guest suite with bathroom facilities. Whether it gives you room to grow as a family, have occasional guests to stay, or make a few extra quid with paying guests, an extra bedroom always adds value to any family home
Visitors, both expected and unexpected, can come over anytime, and what is the best way to welcome them but by having an extra space or bedroom to stay for a night or two. Furnish it with a good heater or an air conditioning unit, and you will be good to go.
Consider the weather in your area and be ready with stuff like this so you don’t stress about hospitality in terms of instant families or acquaintances coming over.
Whatever your final choice in terms of the use of the basement, you can rest assured that your investment will pay for itself in time by adding to the value of your property. That added value differs depending on the type of conversion, size and whereabouts of your property, but in most cases, you can be confident of an increase in value of between 20 to 30 per cent of the value of the property.
By using the existing space, and maximising its return, your can be sure of both a sound financial investment and a great space in which to live and play.
